HOUSTON — The Houston Independent School District is one step closer to becoming a "District of Innovation."
On Tuesday, HISD's District Advisory Committee approved the final draft of the DOI plan. Forty-one people were in favor of the plan, 11 were opposed and seven were not present.
The next step is the school board vote, which will take place on Dec.14.
"HISD is the largest district in Texas and one of the only school systems without DOI status," said Superintendent Mike Miles. "Previous attempts to secure the designation have failed. This vote tonight speaks to how Houston is rallying around its students, making decisions based on their best interests. That’s the culture change taking place across our community. That’s the transformative work underway in HISD. It’s one more step in our progress toward Destination 2035, where all students graduate prepared for the modern workplace and world."
What is a District of Innovation?
A DOI allows more than 60 exemptions from state laws over school operations. Those exemptions include teacher certification and contracts, teacher benefits and student discipline provisions.
More than 960 school districts across the state fall under this process.
Key highlights of HISD's District of Innovation plan
- HISD is seeking to begin the first day of school before the fourth Monday in August, adding a minimum of 180 instructional days in the calendar year for all students in the district.
- HISD is seeking flexibility to hire teachers who do not hold a certification and waive the requirement to present a certification at time of hiring. This exemption does not apply to Special Education teachers whose certification cannot be waived.
- HISD is seeking an exemption for the flexibility in determining the minimum attendance requirement for class credit for eligible high school students.
Below is the final draft of the HISD District of Innovation Plan: